Mexicans can now access Belize in its entirety for a total of seven days as opposed to three. The goal is to strengthen connections between the two countries. Jaleeza Roberts was present at the Northern Border and files this report:

This small facility situated at Belize's border will now help Mexican nationals receive their Digital Border Crossing Card, a new initiative allowing eligible Mexicans to visit Belize anywhere in the country for up to seven days without paying.

Previously they were limited to three days in just the north. This initiative supports efforts to encourage tourism, strengthen cross-border connections, and deepen the longstanding friendship between Belize and Mexico.

Minister of Immigration Kareem Musa explained that it's an incentive designed to boost Mexican tourism in Belize:

Kareem Musa, Minister of Immigration
"Our goal is to help travelers spend more time enjoying their visit to Belize. Our invitation to you, our Mexican neighbors, is simple: 'Belize te espera'-Belize awaits you. That invitation extends to eligible Mexican nationals who reside in Mexico's five southern states covered by this program. Residents of these states can apply for the digital border crossing card free of charge, and once approved, use it to visit Belize for up to seven days. The previous arrangement allowed visits of up to three days within our northern districts.This expansion gives our neighbors more time and greater opportunity to experience Belize, while allowing more of our communities to benefit from the economic windfall from their visits."

In 2025, Belize's northern border recorded 31,656 overnight tourist arrivals, accounting for 5% of all overnight visitors to the country. Mexican nationals made up 35% of overnight visitors entering through that crossing in 2025, up from 30% in 2024. Arrivals from Mexico also increased by 27% during that period, rising from 8,585 to nearly 11,000 visitors.

Minister of Tourism Anthony Mahler underscored the importance of connectivity between the two countries:

Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism
"Tourism thrives on connectivity, accessibility, and meaningful experiences. When we make it easier for people to visit, explore, conduct business, and build relationships, we create opportunities for our tourism industry and for the wider economy. For Belize, our land border crossings are important gateways for tourism, commerce, and regional integration. Our northern border plays a vital role in connecting Belize with Mexico and facilitating the movement of people, goods, and services between our neighboring communities.The relationship between Belize and Mexico remains essential to strengthening cooperation, expanding tourism, and improving cross-border connectivity."

The new card is intended to encourage more frequent visits, benefiting businesses beyond the border communities, including restaurants, transportation providers, tour operators, market vendors, and small retailers:

Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism
"Visitors arriving through the northern border contribute to economic activity throughout Belize, supporting restaurants, small shops, tour operators, transportation providers, market vendors, and countless other small businesses. We also have visitors traveling from other parts of Mexico-Cancún, Tulum,and including arriving through Chetumal International Airport. In addition, developments such as the Tren Maya present opportunities to explore stronger tourism linkages, encourage multi-destination travel, and attract more visitors from across the wider region into Belize. At the same time, we must ensure that our border processes are efficient, accessible, and consistent with the applicable immigration and security requirements."

The new card is already available, and today the first four persons received their cards. The event received heavy coverage from the Mexican press.

Jaleeza Roberts, 7News.